You making me drooling lol

the print itself surely coz 1k+ right?

Cost of the print? No la, not RM 1k to print those photos la. Doesn't cost much. I know cos Keda and myself print using the same service provider. So I know the price, and I did manage to see his prints before when I visit the printer.

Furthermore I was part of the organizing committee for some local photography events, I also get to see Keda's pic if he submits for the competition.

You see, what a lot of people don't know there's a lot more involved before he even get to bag any prize.

I'm a little short of time right now, maybe I'll explain more later if you're interested.

Perhaps you can read what I wrote here. http://www.goldfries.com/photography/my-jo...ciation-mpa-uk/

Just see what I go through to reach MPA qualified status.

They have 3 levels. I'm at the lowest level which is the F. If I'm not mistaken, Keda reached A, which is the 2nd level and not long ago reached the top level, which is really hard to reach.

Basically myself and Keda went through the same process. The key separation between me and him, is his artistic ability which is really really astounding.

Eh no no , i meant the price of his printing product and , waa so lucky to have top used service provider. Can view so many famous ppl's print too

Ah, i'll be waiting from u more. =D

Btw , thanks alot for ur website. Amazing post and inspire me to believe 600d isn't the limitation. Yah like the judges, im shocked how u got all the dishes pic like in studio just with a single speedlight??

Tbh , if u put ur self level F, then im Z now .

I can get commercial grade quality food photo without using speedlight. http://www.shutterstock.com/sets/927619-pa....html?rid=10757

You see ah, a lot of people PP for digital viewing only. Ask them about PRINT and they go blank.

For MPA level qualification and competition, we're judged based on PRINT. This means people like Keda, will have to edit as such and the PP itself would have to also look great (or even better) in print.

You have a 600D. good. Your 60D works like my 60D.

Let me show you this

http://www.thempa.com/commercial-photography-food.php CLICK this, then click the image on the furthest right (the lobster)



That's my photo. I've been featured there for some 2 years now. EOS 550D. 50mm f1.4. 580EX II flash. Shot was done in about 2 minutes, it was just a food that's on display at an event. Manipulation of single flash with environment.

In short - the moment you start to think your gear is limiting you, that's it. You're not going to be progressing already.

Look at the image below


Source

Taken with Samsung Galaxy Nexus. My louyah camera phone punya Nexus can do, your DSLR cannot do?

his wedding package I donno la, last I heard is 5 figures type. budget RM 20k first la.

now back to the topic.

RM 30,000 type printer used to print the works that are sent to competition.



Like I said - judged on print. Judging done by top-caliber photographers.

Why judge on print? By having good print, it shows the photographer is competent in the post process, not just the digital part of the workflow but also down to choice of printer, print material, and so on so forth.

For me, I've not bought any lens for a few years now. I spend on International level competitions. Money goes to the participation fees, print cost and print shipping.

If you get good grades, those become bragging rights. Whether you get good or bad grades, you get to know where you stand - INTERNATIONALLY.

And not only that, these competition also give you feedback. From your score, you get to know how good is your image. For example last year's competition, I was quite confident that my photos were good enough but to face with the harsh reality that all my photos were good BUT fall short of the grade to be given recognition. Many of my photos are 2 points short of their 80 points requirement to be given a merit prize.

Put it simple, I pay to get to know where I stand, and to get feedback from experts.

All in all it's about where you want to head to in the photography world. You want to advance in your gear or advance in your art?

Will you be a painter with 3 brushes that produces beautiful art? Or a painter with a whole lot of high-grade brushes but produces mediocre work?

Thank you for sharing all these info. It's really an eye opener for me.

wah this type of photo must have very good lighting source do u use reflector

yes - good lighting source.

no reflectors used.

Just so happen that day there was good sunlight. the sunlight was already diffused by the surrounding buildings. You could consider those buildings as reflectors in a way.

can you tell the difference between the photo above and the ones taken with DSLR here? http://www.shutterstock.com/sets/927619-pa....html?rid=10757

the dslr one sure handle the detail in highlight better

In Keda Z's work - you'll see a lot of element of planning and execution.

The shots are all very well thought of. From the subjects, to the attire, the background, lighting and in some cases - the moment (eg wave splash).

Learn to get a good shot holds priority over PPing techniques.

Printing thing as in material and color profile izzit? Or there is more of it ?

no need good lens, spend more on other thing. ok ok noted.

Damn, the lobster and the one from samsung galaxy nexus . But im so jealous from the samsung galaxy one , looks really like dslr, pro shot dy. hahah



I'm going to used and remember this quote for a very long time. Truly motivating! thanks!

Hopefully my pic got reviewed in ur photosfeedback

printing material - glossy or matte, lustre paper? art paper? 101 other papers out there.

a lot of people PP for colors only - did you know that there's destructive side of PP where it spoils the pixels in the image, making it less appealing in print?

is not only the type of paper and color profile only

for each type of paper there is different profile to them, for example glossy paper will have higher contrast by nature, matte will have lower contrast and etc

if you are displaying your work in exhibition center/booth/public place where the lightning might be different, it will affect the quality and details of your prints as well

in photoshop there is a feature where you can turn it on to show the part where the color is over-saturated for the paper to handle then you have to make appropriate adjustment to it

get it right in out of the camera is just a part of it, having good camera/lenses is secondary, it is the combination of the whole workflow that makes the difference

Pinning this thread on my fav list. Love how the conversation is going. Well done everyone.

Good lecture brian...